ROLLINSFORD — It was a banjo-playing, flannel-wearing, foot-stomping Friday night of music at the Garrison Players for Mark Wiley and friends.

For over five years now, Wiley has organized bluegrass jam sessions below the theater. The room is rustically decorated, with wide panel wooden floorboards and enough chairs for anyone who wants to strum along.

“It is a really interesting mix of people who come from all over,” Wiley said. “Some come from as far north as Kennebunk in Maine.”

On Friday night, 20 people were singing along and playing their guitars, banjos and fiddles.

“We normally have more people show up, but I think the snow and the holidays got in the way this month,” Wiley said.

The jam sessions are low key, with experts, professionals and beginners coming together to just enjoy the music. Wiley is part of a band named Drowned Valley, whose members regularly join in and play bluegrass at Garrison Players.

“It is an opportunity for people to get together and just play,” Wiley said. “It is a great way to learn, too.”

Wiley, who once sat on the board at Garrison players, had always envisioned the building to be an arts center, with more than just theater productions.

“I collect a few bucks from people for heat, lights and some coffee and we play,” he said.

The sessions always have an audience, as well, according to Wiley. This month, a half a dozen women were sitting along the wall listening to the talented musicians, enjoying a type of music that is not as well known or publicized.

“Bluegrass is much more old time than country music, no electric guitars, and it is usually folk songs, about mountain traditions,” Wiley said. “We play with a lot of harmony.”

Wiley said the jam sessions take place once a month, aside from June and July during bluegrass festival season. The schedule can be found online at garrisonplayers.org.

“We just play together,” he said. “A lot of people want to do just what we are doing right now. Just play.”